Cornerstone Pub: Argenta's most active music venue hosts local and occasionally regional and national acts of all genres, usually Thu.-Sat. Times and cover charges vary. Smoking is allowed, which means only those 21 and up can enter. 314 Main St., NLR, 374-1782, www.cstonepub.com.

Downtown Music: An ownership change in 2010 meant that the traditionally metal-oriented club broadened its booking scope, but more often than not you're still likely to hear something with a heavy edge here from local, regional and national acts. Also, the home of popular monthly dance party Cool Shoes. Times, cover charge varies. Concerts and events — save Cool Shoes which is 18 and above — are open to all ages. 211 W. Capitol Ave., 376-1819. www.downtownmusichall.com

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium: A popular River Market hangout thanks to its 75 beers on tap, where you can watch sports, play group trivia competition at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tue. and listen to local musicians, usually 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat, with around a $3 cover. 21 and up. 323 President Clinton Ave., 372-7468, www.beerknurd.com.

Gusano's: Local and regional rock mostly on weekends. Cover and times vary. 21 and up. No smoking. 313 President Clinton Ave., 374-1441.

Juanita's Cantina Ballroom: Under new ownership in 2010, the venue turned its focus to "mainstream" acts. That still encompasses most genres, but there's an emphasis on hard rock, pop and country. Age limit, cover and times vary. No smoking. 614 President Clinton Ave., 372-1228 (restaurant and bar), 374-3660 (concert info), www.juanitas.com.

Khalil's This West Little Rock restaurant hosts local folk and rock acts in its lounge, where smoking is allowed. Also, the Arkansas Celtic Music Society hosts jam sessions on the second and fourth Monday of the month, 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford, 224-0224. www.khalilspub.com

Midtown Billiards: This all-night club — the only one in downtown Little Rock — is the end of a funnel of nights spent out all over town. It hosts blues, rock and jam band music at 12:30 a.m. Fri.-Sat., plus occasional midnight shows midweek. $5 cover charge above private-club membership fee when there's music. Open daily at 3 p.m. for pool and other games, plus bar and grill. 21 and up. Smoking allowed. 1316 S. Main St., 372-9990, www.midtownar.com.

Revolution: The bigger sister venue to Stickyz, this 550-person capacity room is the largest in the River Market — and one of the largest in town. It hosts an incredibly diverse array of local, regional and national acts. Times and prices vary. All ages. No smoking. 300 President Clinton Ave., 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Stickyz Rock 'n' Roll Chicken Shack: A trademark battle stripped this venue and chicken joint stripped of its former name — Sticky Fingerz. No worries; regulars have long called the bar Stickyz for short. As the Rolling Stones reference in the old name suggests, you'll find rock 'n' roll here as well as just about every other genre. Times and cover vary. 107 S. Commerce St., 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Vino's Brewpub: A pizza joint and brewery connected to concert space that's long been the city's preeminent always all ages venue. A move, in 2010, away from teen-targeted pop-punk, meant an unpredictable concert calendar. Recent calendar additions include a spoken-word night on Sundays, The 7th Street Peep Show open mic event on Mondays and a free movie night on Tuesdays. Cover and times vary. All ages. No smoking. 923 W. Seventh St., 375-8466, www.vinosbrewpub.com.

West End Smokehouse and Tavern: More than 50 TVs, a massive bar, pool tables and local and regional acts usually Fri.-Sat. Membership required. Music starts at 10 p.m., usually $5 cover. 21 and up. Smoking allowed. 215 N. Shackleford, 224-7665, www.westendsmokehouse.net.

White Water Tavern: Colorful dive bar with a strong following. With local, regional and national acts of all types, but especially blues, country/bluegrass and rock. Cover usually no more than $5. Tuesday, the door charge is typically donations only. Times vary. 21 and up. No smoking. Seventh and Thayer Sts., 375-8400, www.whitewatertavern.com

Willy D's: River Market dueling piano bar and restaurant with dinner service. Music at 7 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Beneath the bar is Deep, a lounge that features DJ music Wed.-Sat. Attached through a passageway is Prost, a restaurant/bar that hosts live music on weekends. One cover charge affords access to all three bars. Smoking in Prost and Willy D's, no smoking in Deep. 21 and up. 322 President Clinton Ave., 244-9550, www.willydspianobar.com.

Mylo Coffee Co. put a notice on its Facebook page today that it has abandoned its project to redo The Afterthought space adjacent to the bistro. /more/

River Market district promoters have always hoped for a Beale Street feel, and it looks like they’re going to get one, when Gusano’s Pizzeria at 313 President Clinton Ave. morphs into The Shack, that beloved barbecue joint of yore, and brings in the blues, perhaps sometime in March. /more/

Bundle up: Tomorrow is the final Alley Party of the year, and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership event will feature not just comestibles and drinkables but a pop-up art event. /more/

A fan of Midtown Billiards, the Main Street dive bar closed by a fire last September? Its grand reopening is tonight but Brian Chilson has posted a gallery of photos of the new joint from a soft opening last night. /more/

Maggie Hinson, owner of Midtown Billiards, the late-night burger, billiards and bottle-toss establishment, says the restoration of the fire-damaged venue at 1316 Main St. is progressing and she hopes she can open by the first of June. She’s waiting on her draft boxes and refrigerators and the city’s inspectors to check out the bathroom. /more/

Here’s hoping you’ll have cast your ballot for the candidate and initiatives of your choice by the evening of Nov. 8. We've rounded up a few places to watch the election coverage on the big screen and, depending on how you lean politically, to celebrate with champagne (or commiserate with a whiskey sour) with your fellow citizens. /more/

Lauren McCants, the Southern Salt Co. food truck founder and chef, is now serving food at the White Water Tavern Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday. On the menu: hamburgers and cheeseburgers (of course) as well as deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, deep fried chicken sandwiches, a smoked bologna and over-easy egg sandwich (real good, she says), chicken nachos and a special, like coconut curried chicken. There are vegetarian options, as well: Deep-fried tofu sandwiches, prepared with avocado and like a fish taco; and sweet potato and avocado tacos. /more/

Latest in Natives Guides

When you've got enough scratch to afford a new ride, having a car is easy. If your motorvator coughs, sputters, quits or even smells funny within six years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) just take that metal-flake dream machine back to the dealership and get it fixed — in and out, no muss, no fuss, no credit card required. For the rest of us who have cruised out from under the umbrella of the factory warranty, though, car trouble can be a real pain in the tailpipe. Where do you take it? How much will it cost? Which shop will give you a deal as supple as fine Corinthian leather, and who will give you the ungreased driveshaft?

A couple of seasons back, we gave you our thoughts on thrifting the Rock. Since then, those of us who love nothing better than whiling away a Saturday elbow-deep in musty record bins next to a cart of someone's grandma's dresses, have gained a few and lost a few. Angles in the Attic is gone, and one of our favorites, the Salvation Army warehouse store, fell victim to mold and roof travails. But Little Rock is still full of deals for the savvy and the persistent.